FISH DISEASES

By: Fikre B.
 Introduction

• How do you recognise that a fish might be ill?

• What are the causes of fish disease?

• How do you know that a fish has a parasite?

• What can you do to prevent a disease / parasite?

• How do you treat diseased fish?

 Health fish
Healthy fishes generally have:-
• Clean body
• Erect fins
• Bright body color
• Bright eyed
• Faster movement if frightened and
• Skin and fins are in intact conditions.
 Common clinical symptoms of sick fish
In unhealthy fishes
• Colour may fade out / change
• Condition of the fins and gills will deteriorate.
• Fins may be clamped close to body
• Irregular swimming movement
• Jumping of the fish
• Rubbing of the body against any rough substrate
• Surfacing on water
• Gasping air
• Refusal of feed and excessive mucus secretion etc.
• Abdominal swelling or cyst formation also indicates some
internal disorder of fish.
• Signs of injuries, growths or abnormalities
Differentiating healthy fish from sick
Diagnosis of fish
 Physical examination
• The majority of fish found in aquariums and aquaculture should
be alert and mobile as its movement drives many vital
processes such as respiration.
• Therefore observation is an important component of the
physical examination process.
 The following are things to look out for:
• In a large system, fish should be alert and active with quick
responses to stimuli such as splashing .
• To test this throw some food into a corner and any fish lagging
behind should be removed for further inspection.
 A smaller aquarium or isolation tank can allow for a closer
examination of the fish, notable features include:
• Fluidity of motion: no erratic movements as they often result
from pain or irritation.
• Appearance of scales: should have none missing in large
patches, which would indicate the loss of mucus due to stress
e.g. high nitrite or ammonia levels.
 Cont…
• Sliminess: The mucus layer of a fish protects it from
waterborne pathogens and limited or excess mucus
production indicates stress from chemical imbalances in
water, temperature or overstocking.
• Struggle: A health fish should flail in a net in an attempt to
escape while a sickly fish will not provide much resistance.
• Body Shape and Consistency: In a healthy, well-fed fish you
should not be able to feel any bones or irregularities in its
streamlined body.
• Similarly all fish reared in the same conditions should have a
consistent weight.
• Healthy fins and eyes: Ragged fins are rare in aquariums
that are well stocked and maintained and unusual in large
aquaculture systems.
• A high percentage of fish with fin wounds suggest
overstocking, poor water quality or issues with feed
composition and/or timing.
 Fish Diseases
 Causes of fish disease
• Bad water quality
• Inappropriate diet/nutrition
• Fluctuation of Temperature
(too high or too low)
• Stress
• Access waste deposition
• Bullying
• Parasites
• Bacterial infections
• Fungal infections
• Viral diseases
 Parasitic diseases
 A parasite is an organism that lives with another often as a
detriment of the hosts health.
These can be internal (endoparasites) or External
(ectoparasites).
They can be:
• Protozoan (single celled)
• Nematodes/ cestodes / trematodes (worms)
• Crustacean (e.g.louse)
 Parasite can cause:
 decreased growth rate and can emaciate
 Decreases host fecundity
 Decreased host survival
 Secondary infection
 Vector of bacteria, virus and protozoa
 Itch or White Spot Disease (Ichthyophthirius)
Cause
• Protozoan parasite either free swimming in the water or
carried in with new fish or plants.
• Fish under stress from bad water conditions are more
susceptible.
Symptoms
• The fish’s skin and fins are covered in tiny white spots
• A badly affected fish may make rapid gill movements
Treatment
• Treat with a methylene blue based medicine which kills the
free swimming larval stage (theronts)
 White Spot Lifecycle
1.After finding their new host, they will
eat into the fish’s skin.
2.Adults fall from the fish and become free
swimming till it settles on the gravel.
3.Once settled it forms a cyst which begins
to reproduce by dividing itself up to as
many as 2,000 times.
4.The result of this division produces
what is called Tomites.
5.These emerge from the cyst when it
bursts as free swimming Theronts ready to
re infect the fish.
N.B. If a Theronts is unable to find a new
host within 24 -48 hrs they will usually die.
White Spot Disease
(Ichthyophthirius)
 Gill flukes and skin flukes (Dactylogyrus)& Gyrodactylus)
Cause
• Trematode (flatworm / flukes) parasites, caught by direct
contact with contaminated fish, free swimming larval stages
can attach to the bottom and side of housing. Flukes attach
themselves to the body and eat skin / gill tissue and blood.
Symptoms
• The gills may move rapidly and fish may gasp at the water
surface
• The fish may scrape itself against objects
• Colours fade as damaged areas are covered in mucus.
• The skin may redden in places
• The fins may become ragged
Treatment
• These parasites can be treated with a formalin based
medicine.
 Diagnosis
• Diagnosis is made by observing the parasites in wet
mounts of skin scrapes or gill tissues.
• Gyrodactylus has no eyespots and is viviparous having
embryos with well-developed hooks visible inside the
body of the adults.
• Dactylogyrid flukes have 4 eye spots and contain visible
eggs.
 Anchor Worm (Lernaea)
Cause
• The crustacean parasite Lernaea it can grow up
to 12mm.
• Usualy brought in by non quarantined fish.
Symptoms
• Whitish-green threads hang out of the fish’s
skin, with an inflamed area or ulcer at the point
of their attachment.
• Infected fish scrapes against objects
Treatment
• The water can be treated with insecticide.
• The adult parasite can be removed manually
and the wound treated with antiseptic to prevent
bacterial infection.
 Anchor Worm (Lernaea)

Anchor Worm (ergasillus/gill maggot)

 Fungal Infections
Fungus are multicelluar, spore producing organisms
that live on other organisms, and dead matter, some
are parasitic.
• Fungal spores are commonly found in aquarium water.
• Healthy fish have a protective mucus covering which
can prevent infection by fungal spores.
• Fungal infection are most common disease seen in
temperate fishes.
• Poor water quality can also increase fungal infection
in healthy fishes.
• Poor hygienic condition in pond also increase fungal
infection in fishes.
 Saprolegniasis
Cause
• Aquatic fungi e.g. Saprolegnia.
• Fish that are in poor health and have damaged mucus
membranes through bad water quality, rough handling, fighting
or physical injury are more prone to infection. Fungus can be a
secondary infection to other conditions.
Symptoms
• Grey white or brown cotton wool like growths
on the skin or fins.

Treatment
• Medicines containing malachite green can be
used and salt baths help recovery.
 Branchiomycosis
• Cause :-Branchiomysis sanguinis and B. demigrans

• Symptoms : Necrotic patches on the gills, together with

false membrane formation; made up of proliferation and
adhesions of the gill epithelium.

• Treatment :-Disinfect the tanks and ponds with

quick lime or calcium cyanamide.

• Treat the fish with 3% salt solution and add copper

sulfate in the fish pond.
 Bacterial Infections
• Bacteria are microscopic single celled organisms that can
reproduce rapidly.
• They are naturally present in aquarium water.
• Fish in good health kept in good water conditions can fight
bacterial infections.
• Fish are most prone to such infections if in poor condition as a
result of bad or sudden changes in water quality, over crowding or
bullying, bad handling or transportation.
• A poor diet lacking in sufficient protein, fatty acids and vitamins
can reduce fish resistance to such disease.
Cont…
 Fin Rot / Mouth Fungus
Cause: Bacteria such as Aeromonas, Pseudomonas
(fin rot) and Flavobacterium (mouth fungus)
• Causes erosion and disintegration of fin and tail
Symptoms: Damaged, split or ragged looking fins (fin rot)
• Cotton wool like tufts around the mouth ( mouth fungus)
• May cause loss of appetite and listlessness
• When chronic may develop ulcers on the body.
 Perevantion:- Regulate water temperature and pH
• Improve environmental condition
• Avoid overfeeding
Treatment: Aquarium antibacterial medicines are available and
in serious cases veterinary treatment is needed.
Fin Rot
Ulcer Disease & Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
Cause
• A number of different bacteria including
Aeromonas and Pseudomonas.
• These could be transmitted from other infected fish, and /or bad
water conditions.
Symptoms
• Open sores and ulcers, reddening of fins and vent, may lose their
appetite and colour may change.
Treatment
• Fish can be fed antibiotic medicine in feed.
• If severe fish should be isolated and antiseptic applied to infected
areas.
• May require veterinary injection of antibiotics.
• Ensure tank conditions are correct.
 Edwardsiella
• Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) causes a disease
commonly known as fish gangrene which is
emphysematous putrefactive disease.
• It occurs sporadically in both fish and humans.
• Symptoms:-Removal of scales, causing skin
lesions and damage of muscle tissues.
• Many gaseous wounds appear on the skin,
causing bad smell.
• Treatment: tetracycline or sulphonamide with
fish feed.
• Improve the water quality hygiene food and
stocking density.
Yersiniosis
 Viral infections

• VIRAL INFECTIONS: WHAT IS A VIRUS?

 A virus is a microscopic organism that can only
reproduce by inhabiting host cells and using the
genetic material in the cells of a host.
• Healthy fish that have a balanced diet and good
water conditions have strong immune systems to
fight off such infections.
 Cyprinid Herpes Virus

Causes
• A herpes virus
Symptoms
• Causes growths that are white or grey in colour and look
like melted candle wax.
Treatment
• Fish with a strong immune system can fight off the
infection but retain the virus within the body.
• When in poor health the virus symptoms can re-appear.
 Spring Viremia of Carp: this is a notifiable disease
Cause
• A viral infection caused by Rhabdovirus carpio.
Symptoms
• Darkening of skin, pale gills, pop eye, protruding vent,
bleeding in gills skin and eyes. Lethargy, abnormal
swimming positions, sitting on bottom of the tank.
Treatment
• No known treatment .
 VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC SEPTICAEMIA (VHS)
• The virus is a member of the family
Rhabdoviridae.
• is caused by the Viral hemorrhagic septicemia
virus(VHSV).
• This disease becomes suddenly chronic causing
very high mortality rate.
• The growth rate of the fish decreases earlier.
• Viral haemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) is a deadly
infectious.
Transmission
• through water transfer, as well as through
contaminated eggs.
• Symptoms:- hemorrhaging of their internal
organs, skin, and muscle.
• The kidney and liver are the most affected organs.
• Bleeding in air bladder, kidney swelling, bleeding
in gills and fins, liver discolouration etc.
• Fishes show abnormal movement and position in
water.
• swellen eyes ,general anaemic condition, reduced
haemoglobin percentage, swellen belly,
haemorrhages in the air-bladder and in the
muscles, red intestine, pale gills etc.
• HEMORRHAGES OF INTERNAL ORGANS
• TREATMENT AND CONTROL:-There is no effective
treatment of VHS disease.
• Fishes should be brought from the uncontaminated farms.
• Infected or dead fishes should be immediately removed.
• High stocking densities should always be avoided.
• Fatty food should be avoided and vitaminous food should
be preferred.
• Disinfected ponds with clean bottoms should be selected.
 What can cause growths and abnormalities?
Abnormalities can be brought about by :

• Inbreeding and congenital deformities

• Tumours and swellings

• Viral growths

• Malnutrition or inappropriate diet

• Internal disorders / parasites that cause fluid retention &

swelling.
 What can happen if a fish is injured?

•Injured fish have often been bullied by tank mates.

•Injuries can be the site of secondary infections,

bacterial and fungal.

•Stress caused by bullying, injuries and infections

can lower their immune system further which can
in some cases be fatal.
 Prevention of disease and parasites affecting fish
• Provide an appropriate well filtered tank with suitable water
conditions for the species, i.e. correct temperature, pH,
water hardness, low nitrate levels etc.
• Provide appropriate diet to meet species needs.
• House only suitable species together, make sure they are
compatible and not likely to bully or eat each other.
• Only select healthy looking fish to add to the tank and do
not overstock.
• Quarantine new fish to ensure they are healthy before
introducing them to an established tank.
• Sterilize décor and clean new plants to ensure they are not
carrying parasite eggs / larvae.
 Prevent the water environment from deteriorating
• Do not over-feed - Avoid contamination caused by
excessive organic matters depositing on the pond
bottom/seabed

• Promptly remove fish carcasses in fish ponds/raft net

cages.

• Remove fouling organisms on the raft net cages regularly,

clear obstructions so that organic matters (an be removed
from the fish culture zone by sea currents.
 Reducing pathogens in the water body

• Disinfect fish ponds and culture gear regularly.

• Store the dry pellet feed properly, Keep pellets in a cool,

dry and covered place to prevent massive bacterial
growth.

• Store trash fish properly.

• Some pathogens can be eliminated by deep freezing.

• Never use trash fish that are not clean or fresh.

Disinfection of fish farms and culture
gear
 Routes of drug administration
• The three major routes by which fish may be treated
are
• Water - Borne,
• Oral, and
• Injection
Water - Borne
• The water - borne route is the most common method of
administering treatments to fish and has advantages,
such as being relatively non-stressful and easy to
administer. However, dosing is less precise (too little
or too much).
• Most drugs added to water are unstable and quickly
degrade; this method may require repetitive dosing and
removal of inactive (and possibly toxic) by - products
of the drug with water changes.
• Water - borne treatments are mainly used for surface -
dwelling (skin and gill) pathogens, including parasites,
bacteria, and water molds.
• Except for antibiotics and a few anthelmintics, virtually
all agents act as antiseptics and non-specifically kill
pathogens.
Bath Method in a Small Volume of Water
• Fish are exposed to a concentrated drug solution for a
short time (less than 24 hours).
• One to many fish can be treated simultaneously.
Flush Method
• Flush is a modification of the bath treatment for flow -
through systems.
• Water flow is not stopped, but a high concentration of
chemical is added at the inlet and passed through the
system as a pulse.
Constant Flow Method
• Constant flow treatments have been used in flow-through
systems when it is not possible to shut off the water long
enough to use a bath treatment (i.e., even a temporary
halt in water supply might cause fish mortality because
of oxygen depletion or waste accumulation).
Prolonged Immersion Method

• Fish are left in a low concentration of drug for at least 24

hours.

• The drug dissipates in the water by natural decay.

• One advantage to this treatment is that water changes

after treatment are usually not mandatory and many
prolonged immersion treatments do not severely impair
biological filtration, allowing their use in the system
used to maintain the fish.
 Oral Medications
• Oral medications are one of the best ways to administer
drugs to fish because they are the least stressful, yet if
consumed in the proper amounts and absorbed by the
gastrointestinal tract, they can be very effective.
• However, they can also be cumbersome if a
commercially prepared oral medication is not available.
This can be through
• Commercially Medicated Feeds
• Preparation of a Medicated Artificial Diet
• Force – Feeding – may be through stomach tube
 Injection
• Injection of drugs has the advantage of delivering a
precise dosage.
Disadvantages include the stress imposed by capturing the
fish and, for aquarium fish, the need to bring the fish to the
clinic for every injection, since the owner is usually unable
to perform the treatment.
Methods
• Intraperitoneal (IP)
• Intramuscular (IM)
• The best site is the dorsal musculature just lateral to
the dorsal fin
 Which dosage to use
• For many drugs in the “ Pharmacopoeia , ” a range of
doses is given.
• For water - borne treatments, water quality can greatly
affect efficacy and ichthyotoxicity.
• Related pathogens can also vary in susceptibility.
• If you are unsure about the dose to use, it is usually
best to start with the lower recommended dose. If the
disease does not respond adequately, repeat the
treatment with a higher dose.
• For oral medications, dosage varies with feed intake.
• Fish that are eating less need a higher percentage of
drug in the diet, but there are limits on the legally
allowable amount and practical considerations, since
some drugs are unpalatable at high doses (e.g., many
antibiotics).
Thank You!!!

Good
luck!!!